Tyler, I can't believe you only paid $2500 for that...makes me feel like I got robbed buying my SEC.

__________________
Current cars:
2000 ML55 AMG, 174k miles
2003 C240 T-Modell, 202k miles
1995 S320, 207k Miles

spinlps:
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Unfortunately I do not get "the parts at wholesale and free labor from the dealer". You were lucky to find such a seller.

J. M. van Swaay:
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To my knowledge neither the throttle actuator nor the A/C evaporator have been replaced. But I understand that only some cars are affected, not all? In any event, no signs of weakness from any thus far.

mrhills0146:
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Obviously. ("A vehicle is not worth what [I] think it is worth, it is worth what someone else is willing to pay for it.") But an asking price must be suggested, and I am just trying to justify mine.


TylerH860:
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Your new car does look nice. And you say that it has "good maintenance records", so do they in particular show that:

* The engine oil (and filter) was replaced every 7.5K? (And I use Mobil 1 0W40 exclusively.)
* The fuel filter and O2 sensor were replaced every 60K?
* The timing chain (+tensioner +guides +etc as needed) was replaced not too long after 100K? I changed the E320's at 120K and it was apparently already significantly stretched.
* The coolant and thermostat were replaced every 3 years? And using only MB's neutral coolant? If not the more acidic generic coolants may cause premature replacement of the radiator and / or water pump.
* The transmission oil (and filter and pan gasket) was replaced every 30K?
* The differential grease was replaced every 30K? On my 300SE I had to replace the differential prematurely, I guess its maintenance had been neglected by the previous owners.
* The brake fluid was replaced every 2 years?
* The power steering fluid and filter were replaced every 30K? And using only MB's ad hoc fluid? If e.g. ATF has been used (as is frequent), it may cause premature replacement of the power steering fluid pump.
* The rear suspension's hydraulic fluid and filter were replaced every 30K? This maintenance is apparently very often neglected, even though repairs to the pump and other items are apparently expensive.

Regarding the head gasket repair, you may want to use an MB specialist (if such is not already your intention), as this job is apparently tricky, see e.g.:

http://www.continentalimports.com/ser_index.html

__________________
1991 W126 300SE (M103)
1995 W124 E320 Wagon (M104)

I'm using an expert who was a master certified mechanic at the dealer (whatever the title is) He was able to give me a quote because he does these on M103-M104s on an almost monthly basis.

He is going to check the stretch of the chain, and replace if needed.

and no, not all of those on you list have been done, including the SLS suspension fluid and differential. The rest of the maintenance was extensive up until 2003, when the owner I bought purchased it with 130k on it.

I could replace the SLS system, differential, power steering pump, and still be way ahead of someone purchasing your car at that price.

On top of all that, your car has a secret deal killer that makes a Mercedes almost worthless.

More rust on 1995 E320 (W124)

2005:

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

If the maintenance I listed above has not been done on time, doing it now will not prevent / revert any damaging wear that may already have occurred.

All the rust I mentioned back then has been professionally addressed since then. I don't procrastinate on rust any more than I do on maintenance. Those questions in the forum were not just for the sake of complaining, but to find the best ways to address the problem, and address the problem I did, and properly.

__________________
1991 W126 300SE (M103)
1995 W124 E320 Wagon (M104)

As I said before, I could replace every part that the less fastidious maintenance effected, and still be thousands under, AND, the parts would be brand new.

Professionally addressed doesn't mean properly addressed. The best way to completely kill the rust would be to replace the entire body part effected. Is that what you did, or was it the standard sand, treat, prime and paint? That works fine, as long as you don't subject to car to the same harsh conditions of your climate.

I give up... Perhaps you'll get an uneducated buyer to pay that much, but otherwise, you'll be sitting on this car for a VERY long time.

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Yes, I misunderstood what you were saying, sorry. Well, do you have any actual quotes to replace the unmaintained items? Repair costs add up quickly.

But it is true that you would be adding to a very low buying price. BTW did you PPI and / or CARFAX the car to make sure it had not been e.g. in an accident?

As for the rust, I had for example some at the bottom of the tailgate window: the whole tailgate was stripped to bare metal, and repainted from scratch, with all the proper layers. And by a shop suggested by my mechanic, whom I've used enough to know that I can trust him blindly. True, that can't be better than a brand new tailgate, but should be close enough... and less "overkill".

And as you can see e.g. from that very link that you resurfaced, rust on these cars is not uncommon. Did you check yours in the "usual" places, e.g. around the jack holes (remove the plastic caps) and at the bottom of the tailgate window (lift the seal)?

__________________
1991 W126 300SE (M103)
1995 W124 E320 Wagon (M104)

Since I wasn't too familiar with these cars, I opted for a PPI at the local dealer. It was the best $175 or so I ever spent, since it revealed the head gasket issue that I didn't notice during my personal inspection. It had a few other small things that are being addressed currently. I printed a list of things to look for, and areas to watch out for rust. I didn't remove the rubber around the jack holes, but did look at the tailgate.

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!